(Figures are approximates only)

Considering the comments above about future development we ought to be thinking in terms of increasing our freewill giving by 1/3 (one third). In order to attempt to achieve this we adopt the following policy for the coming year.

1. Freewill Giving

a)   A Freewill Giving Campaign (stewardship of personal resources towards the work of the Church at St Christopher’s Cathedral) has been activated in the past (2001). This had an appreciable response in the short term but because of the fluid nature of our congregations has gradually declined over the last 6 years. A very small number of people are still using the ‘stewardship’ envelopes. This method of giving helps them to give regularly (weekly to the cathedral) even when they are not physically able to attend church or away from Bahrain.

Proposal:
a)   The availability of envelopes to be continued and encouraged.
b)   2 weekends a year dedicated to teaching (sermons, leaflets etc.) and encouragement to personal freewill giving to the work of the church. Leaflets to remain available to newcomers and as reminders to regulars.

For 2007:
1. The beginning of Lent 23-25th Feb.
2. After the long summer break 21-23rd Sept.

Various methods of giving to the cathedral are being explored including paypal via the internet and direct debit to our bank account should people find these easier methods to give regularly.

b)   Raising the profile of St Christopher’s Cathedral
We recognised the importance of communicating to the appropriate world ‘out there’ the very existence and work of the cathedral and its need of constant and adequate self funding. We receive funding from no other source either within or outside Bahrain This aspect of our work should be approached more professionally, communicating and promoting our function and our needs.

We need to consider appointing or employing a person with PR and/or promotional responsibility for the cathedral, raising the profile of our life and work.

Maybe it is time to ‘re-brand’ the Friends of St Christopher’s Cathedral with an eye on corporate sponsorship from the many sympathetic companies in our community…’Corporate Friendship.’

Rental Income
Rents have only recently been raised and we therefore consider it inappropriate to raise them again in the immediate future. However, the provision of adequate storage is in progress including a reappraisal of charges for use of storage.
However, in return for increased rents we have a responsibility to provide clean, safe, well decorated facilities.

Fund Raising Events
The figure of BD 22,000 (including BD8,000 for depreciation) is a huge amount of money to raise by holding fund raising events.
The funding of our church life must be a corporate responsibility. There are, ‘Praise God’, those who are prepared to take the initiative for major fund raising events, three of which have been identified for 2007: -

Other individuals and groups have shown an interest in smaller fund raising events at their homes or other venues - eg: 

The necessity for such occasions needs to be communicated to everyone in our congregations.

Merchandising
As in the past, with successful lines of merchandising, tee shirts, tea towels, key rings, mugs, Christmas cards etc, this supplement to our income should be kick started and developed both to provide income and support our promotion of the existence and work of St Christopher’s Cathedral in Bahrain.

Anyone willing to be involved in any one of these four areas of church life please contact the office or the clergy.

Alan Hayday